Segments in this Video

AIDS Plague(04:20)

By September 1991, AIDS killed over 150,000 people in the United States. That month, Larry Kramer was invited to speak at an AIDS forum in New York City.

Unafraid and On A Mission(01:54)

In 1985, Larry produced an autobiographical play called, "The Normal Heart." This production along with Larry's relentless pursuit of AIDS awareness, sparked a movement.

Larry's Recovery(01:44)

In July 2013, Larry, age 78, was recovering from the complications of a liver transplant brought on by years of battling HIV.

Living In His Own World (03:50)

During a 2011 interview, Larry describes his unhappy childhood. Larry's father disapproved of Larry's interest in the theater, often referring to him as a "sissy."

Unknown Culture(03:57)

During his freshman year at Yale University, Larry attempted suicide by overdosing on aspirin; his brother, Arthur Kramer, came to his rescue.

Becoming a Writer(05:31)

Through the 1960s, Larry was living in London and working in the film industry. Through his psychoanalysis sessions, Larry gained the courage to write, and produced the screenplay for "Women in Love."

Fast Lane in New York City(03:33)

Larry became financially independent from his work on the film, "Lost Horizon." He left the Hollywood business, and began examining the gay world. In 1978, Larry wrote the novel, "Faggots."

Controversial Novel (02:56)

Larry was crucified by the gay media for his novel, "Faggots," in which he examined the gay community's preoccupation with sex. Some regarded his text as an act of self-hatred.

Beyond the Orgasm(02:17)

Larry explained how writing "Faggots" was a way for him to understand the failure of his relationship with David Webster.

GRIDS Epidemic (03:04)

On July 3, 1981, the "New York Times" published an article on a rare cancer found in 41 homosexuals. Nick Rock was the first known AIDS death in NYC. Doctors created a new term, GRIDS or gay related infectious diseases.

Gay Men's Health Crisis(03:35)

In September 1981, Larry's personality led him to become the leader in AIDS activism. He galvanized activities and created the services organization, GMHC.

Kaposi's Sarcoma(02:25)

In January 1982, people began to volunteer at the GMHC headquarters, as gay men died daily of Kaposi's sarcoma. Some hospitals refused to treat or care for these men.

AIDS Arrives(02:00)

The CDC names the epidemic AIDS, and ambulance drivers refuse to transport infected patients. AIDS gave the gay community a unifying focus, and a reason to care for each other.

Wake-Up Call(02:37)

In March 1983, Larry published an essay, "1,112 And Counting," in which he called for a cessation of sexual acts until more is known about AIDS. Sexual liberation activists fought back against this fear tactic.

Larry Quits the GMHC(03:17)

Larry volunteered to be the face of GMHC in the media, but he would only do it his confrontational way. Larry insisted that Ed Koch, Andrew Rosenthal, and Ronald Reagan were responsible for the AIDS epidemic.

Turn Life Into Art(04:35)

After leaving the GMHC, Larry moved to London. There, he wrote "The Normal Heart." It opened in New York City on April 21, 1985. By 1987, AIDS had killed more than 24,000 in the United States.

"Act Up" Demonstrations(03:45)

By 1987, AIDS had killed more than 24,000 in the United States, and the gay community was aware of the political dimension of this crisis. On March 24, 1987, Larry led a civil disobedience protest.

Street Theater(03:54)

At Act Up weekly meetings, Larry was like the father of the group, but people would cringe when he spoke. In 1987, the Act Up organization protested New York City Hall, then Washington D.C.

Image Transformation(03:26)

In December of 1989, the Act Up organization demonstrated at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The group was united in anger over the deaths of thousands.

Fearless Protest(02:52)

In 1992, Act Up activists dumped the ashes of loved ones on the lawn of the White House. Two weeks before his death, David Feinberg spoke at an ACT Up meeting.

Intentional Genocide(02:43)

By December 1993, AIDS had killed more than 234,000 people in the United States. By 1995, that number grew to nearly 320,000 people.

Change Finally Arrives(02:37)

In 1996, the FDA approved a new class of AIDS drugs, and health among HIV and AIDS victims rapidly improved. ACT Up forced the scientific world to care and enact change.

The American People(04:41)

Once the drugs were acquired, rifts began to form within the ACT Up organization, and it eventually dissolved. Larry slipped into a deep depression. He is now working on documenting text on gays in American history.

Wedding Day(03:19)

Larry Kramer marries the love of his life, David Webster, in the hospital. Thousands of men, women, and children owe their lives to Larry.

Description

Author, playwright and AIDS activist Larry Kramer takes center stage in this candid portrait that examines the monumental effect of one of the most important – and controversial – figures in contemporary gay America, a political firebrand who gave voice to the outrage and grief that inspired gay men and women to fight for their lives. The film utilizes personal photos, archival footage of GMHC and ACT UP, scenes from the semi-autobiographical plays The Destiny of Me and The Normal Heart, and three decades of interviews in which Kramer opens up about his past, as do those who know him best. Filmmaker and friend Jean Carlomusto also takes viewers inside Kramer’s 2013 stay in the ICU, as he recuperates from complications of a liver transplant brought on by years of living with HIV. Juxtaposing footage of Kramer angrily protesting with scenes of him being lovingly cared for in the hospital by his partner David, Larry Kramer In Love & Anger celebrates a multifaceted figure, known for his quick temper as much as for his endless passion. An HBO Production.